SERNATUR
Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism
Government of Chile

L O C AT I O N O F T O R R E S D E L PA I N E

torres del paine

Park administration.
The Torres del Paine National Park is
administered by the National Forestry
Corporation (CONAF). Its offices are found
in the Lago Toro area, 80 kilometers
from Puerto Natales and 33 kilometers
from the Park’s main entrance. Offices
include a visitors center which features
environmental education activities.
Office hours are from 8.30am to 8pm
ptpaine@conaf.cl Phone: (56 61) 691 931
CONAF administration offices
Lago Toro area

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COQUIMBO

Tips
A three-day trip is recommended to get to know all the
main attractions and to avoid any letdowns due to stormy
weather. The mountain peaks (Cuernos and Torres del
Paine) are often covered by clouds.

VALPARAÍSO
METROPOLITANA
O´HIGGINS

To avoid rain, review weather conditions before selecting
a route. If bad weather is predicted, the visit could begin
from the Laguna Amarga sector, which takes hikers to a
steppes area where there is little rainfall. If good weather is
predicted, it is best to enter at the Serrano sector in order
to see the Paine mountain peaks and the Grey Glacier.

DEL MAULE
BIOBÍO

ARAUCANÍA
LOS RÍOS

LOS LAGOS

The weather changes very quickly. Within a single day you
can experience both cold and hot weather, wind, rain and
even snow. It is best to wear layers of clothing, have a hat
for both sunny and cold weather, and to carry sunblock
and sunglasses.

AYSÉN

MAGALLANES

Torres del Paine

For a successful trek it is indispensable to have good
quality gear and to wear three layers of clothing - the first
layer to keep the humidity from building up, the second
for warmth, and the third, breathable rain gear. Also
indispensable are a good tent that can resist very strong
winds, a sleeping bag for below-freezing temperatures and
good trekking boots that have already been broken in.
It is necessary to bring a good map, ideally one that you
bought beforehand and thoroughly studied so you can
familiarize yourself with key names, including Torres
trekking routes, Camp Pehoé, Park Administration,
Portería Serrano, and so forth.

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The Torres del Paine National Park is the undisputed
icon of Patagonia. Not just because of its impressive
Cuernos and Torres del Paine mountains, which
are portrayed in thousands of postcards, but also
because the Park is unique in bringing together all of
Patagonia’s principal ecosystems at a single location:
pampas, forests, glaciers, mountains, lakes and rivers.
UNESCO celebrated this unique diversity by declaring
it a Biosphere Reserve.
The Park’s trekking routes are considered to be
among the most impressive in the world and
provide the best views of the Paine Towers and
the Campo de Hielo Sur glacier. There are also less
strenuous trekking alternatives, and many of the Park’s
attractions can be seen by car.

Highlights
The Park’s trekking routes are considered to be among the
best in the world.
Patagonia’s principal ecosystems come together in one
place: pampas, forests, glaciers, mountains, lakes and
rivers.
The possibility of taking close-up photographs of the
animals is one of the Park’s greatest attractions. The
fauna don’t feel threatened by people and don’t flee in
their presence.
The Park is open year-round and the climate is more stable
in the winter, because there is less wind.
In the summer there are more than 18 hours of daylight
due to the Park’s southern latitude.

There are two access roads to the park from Puerto Natales,
which is 247 km north of Punta Arenas. Both allow access to
the park’s entire trekking route.
The old road is 120 km long (60 km paved) and ends at the
gateway to Laguna Amarga, Laguna Azul and Sarmiento. The
new road is 80 km long, 20 km paved and 80 km gravel, , and
ends at the gateway to Serrano. During the summer, there is
regular bus service from Puerto Natales.
A novel way of entering the park is in a zodiac boat from the
Serrano River. The expedition begins onboard a ship from
Puerto Natales that navigates the Última Esperanza fjord to
visit the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Travelers then change
to a fast-moving zodiac that crosses the river to enter the park.
The trip offers exceptional views of the Campo de Hielo Sur
glacier.
Transportation
Bus companies only provide daily service during High Season,
while during low season they offer excursions depending on

the number of passengers.
There are also private transport companies providing special
minibus services for up to 12 people, as well as tourism taxis
and rent a cars, which can be booked in Puerto Natales.
Buses JB.
Arturo Prat 258, Puerto Natales, ☎ (56- 61) 412 824,
busesjb@hotmail.com

The Torres del Paine peaks. These peaks are the most
iconic and beautiful image of the park and Patagonia.
The mountains include, among others, Paine Grande, the
Cuernos del Paine, Almirante Nieto, Paine Chico and the
famous Torres del Paine mountains themselves. Threading
through these peaks are the two trekking routes: the “O” and
the “W.”
Lago Pehoé and Lago Nordenskjöld. These are the two
most famous lakes in the park and have the best views of the
Cuernos del Paine. They are surrounded by an imposingly
beautiful landscape, accompanied by the lakes’ green waters.
The Lago Grey and Glaciar Grey. The lake is formed by the
Campo de Hielo. Sur glaciers and receives huge blocks of
ice that break off from the Grey glacier, providing a truly
spectacular sight. Enormous ice blocks float to the lake’s
shore, providing a great photo-op. You can also take a boat
on the lake to approach the front of the glacier.
Salto Grande. This waterfall is in the Pehoé area just 2 km.
from the main road. Although it isn’t a very high waterfall
at just 15 meters, the enormous amount of water that drops
from Lago Nordenskjöld towards Lago Pehoé is impressive. It
is also possible to take a quiet walk from here to the Mirador
de los Cuernos del Paine, one of the most scenic vistas in the
park.
Cascada Río Paine. This spectacular cascade is found on the
Paine River in the Laguna Amarga area, next to the road
that goes to Laguna Azul. From here you can see the Torres
del Paine, the three granite spikes that have made the Park
famous around the world.
Laguna Azul. The road between Laguna Amarga and Laguna
Azul is one of the most noteworthy in the Park because of its
backdrop of high mountains, steppe vegetation and the large
number of animals, especially guanacos and ñandús. Laguna
Azul offers the only vantage point in the Park with a view
of the Torres del Paine without hiking. If you are lucky and
there isn’t any wind, these incredible granite formations are
reflected in the laguna.

HIKING TRAILS

Circuito Paine. Also known as the “O,” or the Paine Circuit is
the longest of all the trekking routes - 93.2 km. Depending on
your physical condition and the weather conditions, this trek
takes between 7 and 10 days. The path is surrounded by the
Paine mountain peaks, and hikers can admire the best of the
park’s beauty and diversity of climates and ecosystems here.
The highest point on the circuit is Paso John Garner, a
1,200-meter high pass, which provides a spectacular view of
the Campos de Hielo Sur glaciers.
Difficulty: Medium and high
Length: 93.2 km
Duration: 7 to 10 days
Season: November through March.
The “W” Circuit. This alternative was devised by trekkers
themselves as a way to cover most of the great sights in fewer
days: Mirador Torres del Paine, Cuernos del Paine, Valle del
Francés and Glacier Grey. These 76.1 km have become the
most visited hiking trail in Chile.
Difficulty: Medium and high
Length: 50,1 km
Duration: 4 to 5 days
Season: All year
Refugios and camping grounds are located along all the
trekking routes so that visitors can rest and socialize, or buy
supplies or a prepared meal. For more information, visit www.
parquetorresdelpaine.cl

The park has 97 km of roads suitable for cars and two routes
from Puerto Natales, so that a car circuit is possible.
The Cerro Castillo Route is 154 km long and takes you to the
gateway to Laguna Amarga. If you continue north through
the steppes, you arrive at Laguna Azul, the only place in
the Park where it is possible to see the three peaks of Torres
del Paine without needing to hike. If you head towards the
southwest, the road goes along Lago Nordesnskjol and you
can see the Cuernos del Paine. In Pudeto you can see both the
Salto Grande and the Mirador de los Cuernos after a brief,
45-minute walk.
The road continues to the AdminIstration Office, where you
can then go towards Lago Grey. Here, the alternatives include
a walk along the beach to see the enormous ice blocks, or a
boat ride that takes you to just in front of the Grey Glacier. The
return road to Puerto Natales, by way of the Serrano entrance
(80 km).

T O R R E S D E L PA I N E I N T H E W I N T E R M O N T H S

The best postcard-ready photos of the Park are shot in the
winter months, thanks to the snow-covered peaks, the frozen
lakes, orange-tinted skies and the greater variety of fauna such as pumas and huemul deer - which descend from their
mountain habitats in search of food. There’s also less rainfall
and less wind between July and October
It is important to keep your plans flexible, keeping in mind
the limited hours of daylight during this time of the year and
the winter weather, as it is likely that snowfall could impede
access to some places. Only the “W” is open for hikers, and
it absolutely necessary that you be outfitted with gear that
can handle the winter weather: appropriate rain- and windresistant clothes and a sleeping bag for minus 0ºC night
temperatures - hopefully a bag rated for -20°C.
The only refugio operating at this time is Paine Grande (on
the west side of Lago Pehoé). Although all the campgrounds
are closed, they still may be used, always keeping the “leave no
trace” philosophy in mind so that nothing is left behind. Visitors
must carry out all garbage and take it back to the city with them.

Some travel agencies offer full-day excursions year round. It
is also possible to lodge at in different hotels which open all
year round and offer horseback riding, treks and boat trips to
Glacier Grey. (No boat trips in June and July.)

WHERE TO SLEEP?

There are hotels in the Park, deluxe campsites (“glamping”),
refugios with rooms and shared bathrooms, and a great variety
of camping alternatives.
Most of the campgrounds are well provisioned, with hot
showers, electricity and cooking areas. The most rustic are
found on the “O” route, where flat camping sites are scarce,
which is why it’s recommended to get an early start on your
trek, so you won’t end up sleeping on a slope.
You can also find accomodation in Villa Serrano or in Puerto
Natales, base town of the park.
For more information please go to the website www.sernatur.cl
and enter the tourism service searcher.

Camping Pehoé. Located in the area of lago Pehoé, with access
from the main road, 12 km away from the administration office.
Previous reservation required

☎ (56-61) 249 581,

249501, www.campingpehoe.com

Camping Río Serrano. Located in the area of Lago Toro, 7 km
away from the administration office.

☎ (56-61)

206993 – (02) 1960448, 1960447
www.cajalosandes.cl

Camping Laguna azul. Located in the area of Laguna Azul
CONAF Administration Office Torres del Paine National Park.

☎ (56-61) 691931

Useful information.
Lake crossing in catamaran boat. You can can cross Lago
Pehoé in a catamaran boat, leaving from the Pudeto area at
the Paine Grande refugio and campground. The catamaran
only runs from October through April.
Los Arrieros 1517, Puerto Natales, ☎ (56-61) 411 380
info@hielospatagonicos.cl
(web page under construction: www.hielospatagonicos.cl)
Boat trips to Glaciar Grey. Turismo Lago Grey/Hotel Lago
Grey.
☎ (56-61) – 712 129 – 712 190/1/2/3/4/5
navegación@turismolagogrey.com
www.turismolagogrey.com
Non-Perishable Food Supplies: Laguna Amarga center
and Administrative center. Also in refugios located on the
trekking routes.
First Aid Clinic: at the Park’s administrative office.
Carabineros police: there are four police officers posted
near the administrative center, but only during the high
season.
Gasoline: Only in Puerto Natales.